What are the keys to the Buccaneers beating the Cowboys, according to Bucs fans?
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It’s a fun time to be a Buccaneers fan.
Five weeks ago the season was going down the tubes. The Bucs had been beaten up by the Falcons, and we were all starting to look ahead to next year.
But that was then. It’s very different now. Five straight wins including two against NFL powerhouses, and the NFC South is the Bucs for the taking. 8-5 is the mark, already topping last year’s record under Lovie Smith.
Now, we play in primetime. The bright lights of Sunday Night Football will be shining upon Jameis Winston and company. The Cowboys are the next opponent, them and their 11-2 record. Needless to say it’s not going to be easy.
Bucs fans are so passionate, we decided to ask you guys what you thought. How do the Bucs beat the Cowboys?
We got some great responses from all of you. Here are some of them:
establish a running game early. That will set up play-action later
— Jorge (@jmrls55) December 14, 2016
A running game will be huge. A big game out of Doug Martin is essential.
D-line has to let it rip.
— Ross Parker (@rparker209) December 14, 2016
I mean play their best game of the season.
If they can pressure Prescott, we have a chance.
need to get pressure with blitzes. GMAC needs best game of his life. Bounce back game for offense with Jameis playing well
— Paul Light (@paulblight17) December 14, 2016
Pressure is a great point. There is no better way to get a young quarterback rattled than to get in his face. Pressure up the middle would be great, but any pressure would do. Look for some “Double A Gap Blitzes”, or blitzes to either side of the offensive guard.
Must stop Ezekiel Elliot.
keep zeke under 100, keep dak in the pocket, finish drives with TDs
— Jesse ✌️ (@whatsdamatowitu) December 14, 2016
be more efficient in the red zone
— Will Bright (@WLBrighty) December 14, 2016
I wanted to package those together because they make a great point about the red zone. We talked this week about the need for improvement in the red zone. According to Team Rankings, the Bucs rank 20th in red zone touchdown percentage. Field goals in the red zone will not be good enough on Sunday night.
keep Zeke under 100 yards. Pressure Dak all night. Winston throws 2TDs. 20-17 TB
— James Rawson (@JamesRawsonJr) December 14, 2016
That’s a very reasonable prediction.
protect the ball
— JCallas (@ghostofhypotia) December 14, 2016
Stop the run
Pressure Dak
Agree, agree, and agree.
Force Dak into mistakes and slow down Zeke as much as possible. I'll go 24-20 TB.
— KP29 (@KP24297) December 14, 2016
That was another very reasonable score prediction.
Long sustained drives to win T.O.P. Continue to win turnover battle. And see this 2 or 3 times: pic.twitter.com/XZdMwoPXrR
— Greg (@gp76_Tampa) December 14, 2016
We just had to include that one.
Keep doing what we've been doing. Offense puts up enough pts to be ahead. Defense shuts them down. Simple as that.
— The PewterCast (@ThePewterCast) December 14, 2016
From our friends at Pewter Cast.
Great points here as well.
Our final tweet comes from the most confident of our fans:
if our offense gets going this could be a blow out.
— Mike (@Ty_Am1) December 14, 2016
Next: Bucs at Cowboys: Five Game Changing Players
It’s going to be fun, Bucs fans. Enjoy it.